Love is universal. Whether it’s your family and your friends; your partner or a pet, it exists in all our lives. Love is holding someone very close to your heart, but that does not always mean they are close to us physically. Learning to adapt to our environment is hard enough as a human being in this massive world, and then you add someone else to the mix—someone you desperately want to share your journey with—it’s difficult! To cope with a long-distance relationship, I believe you must have pride in each other’s independence. Celebrating each other’s lives (especially the aspects that do not involve yourself), showing true support and happiness for your partner’s individuality. Jealousy and a lack of trust are the killers to any relationship, and when it seems your partner is thriving without you, it can be hurtful. You want to feel needed and special, but being far apart is the harshest reality check. 

One of the most valuable lessons to achieving a healthy relationship is knowing you do not need each other. As much as it feels like love is as essential as the oxygen in your lungs and the blood in your veins, it’s not true. The most precious thing about romantic love is knowing you can live to your fullest without them; be happy without them, but it’s deciding that even though you don’t need them, you WANT to share your life with the person you love. Love is a choice. The most romantic thing anyone can do is choose you. So… in those moments where you miss them and there’s a whole world between you, remember that you chose each other. And even though life might be easier without them, it would never be as exciting! 

Words by: Lowri Player

Featured image courtesy of Timo Stern via Unsplash. No changes have been made to this image. Image license found here.